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artificially acquired passive immunity 79 aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA)
Poly-L-lysine
Poly-DL-alanine
L-phenylalanine
L-glutamic acid
Synthetic polypeptide antigen with multichain copolymer (Phe, G)-A-L.
artificially acquired passive immunity
The transfer of immunoglobulins from an immune
individual to a nonimmune, susceptible recipient. Passive
immunity of this type is more often used for prophylaxis
than for therapy. It provides immediate protection of the
recipient for relatively short periods (few weeks). Human
sera are preferred for passive immunization to avoid serum
sickness induced by foreign serum proteins.
Ascaris immunity
The Ascaris lumbricoides roundworm infects 1.3 billion
people. Infected subjects mount strong immunoglobulin G
(IgG) antibody responses specific for the parasite, but most
individuals respond to only a subset of parasite constituents.
Only 20% of individuals respond to the ABA-1 antigen/
allergen. Laboratory studies have shown that immune
responses to Ascaris antigens in laboratory rodents is
restricted by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
class II region. Human hypersensitivity reactions to Ascaris
lumbricoides may vary in specificity. The IgE response
appears to be protective in ascariasis and is believed to be a
protective mechanism in other helminth infections. Mouse
experiments show that the immune response to Ascaris
infection is dominated by T H2 cells, which helps to explain
the elevated IgE levels, eosinophilia, and mastocytosis
observed in these infections. The T H2 response is critical
for immune elimination of the parasites. Although the
parasite is able to alter its surface and secreted antigens,
it remains to be proven that this serves as an effective
mechanism to evade the host immune system. No vaccine is
available.
ascertainment artifact
A reference to data that appear to show a specific finding
but fail to do so because they have been derived from a
population selected in a biased manner.
Aschoff bodies
Areas of fibrinoid necrosis encircled first by lymphocytes
and macrophages with rare plasma cells. The mature
Aschoff body reveals prominent modified histiocytes
termed Anitschkow cells or Aschoff cells in the inflammatory
infiltrate. These cells have round to oval nuclei with
wavy ribbon-like chromatin and amphophilic cytoplasm.
Aschoff bodies are pathognomonic of rheumatic fever. They
may be found in any of the three layers of the heart (i.e.,
pericardium, myocardium, or endocardium).
ascites fluid
Fluid in the peritoneal cavity.
Aschoff bodies.
Ascoli’s test
A ring precipitin assay used in the past to identify anthrax
antigen in tissues, skins, and hides of animals infected
with Bacillus anthracis. The simple test was considered
useful in that it could identify anthrax antigen in decaying
material from which anthrax bacilli could no longer be
cultured.
asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP R) autoantibodies
Autoantibodies against this liver-specific membrane receptor
occur at high frequency in autoimmune liver diseases,
especially autoimmune hepatitis, and may occur also in primary
biliary cirrhosis (PBC), viral hepatitis, and other liver
diseases but at a lower frequency. Anti-ASGP R antibodies
correlate with disease activity. Anti-ASGP R antibodies
against human-specific epitopes are closely linked to autoimmune
hepatitis. T lymphocytes specific for the ASGP R
have been isolated from the livers of autoimmune hepatitis
type I patients. Tissue expression of ASGP R is most
prominent in periportal areas where piecemeal necrosis
is observed as a marker of severe inflammatory activity.
ASGP R antibodies may be used as diagnostic markers for
autoimmune hepatitis if other markers are negative and
autoimmune liver disease is suspected.
ASLT
Abbreviation for the antistreptolysin O test.
ASO (antistreptolysin O)
A laboratory technique that serves as an indicator of infection
by group A β-hemolytic streptococci. Immunoglobulin
M (IgM) antibody titers expressed in Todd units (TU)
increase fourfold within 3 weeks after infection in untreated
subjects. Penicillin treatment decreases the ASO titer.
Normal level is below 166 TU; levels above 333 TU in
children and above 250 TU in adults suggest recent infection.
The ASO assay depends upon hemolysis inhibition.
The greatest dilution of a patient’s blood combined with
1 U streptolysin O that prevents the lysis of erythrocytes
determines TU, the reciprocal of endpoint dilution.
Aspergillus species
Aeroallergenic fungi that may induce hypersensitivity pneumonitis
(HP). Aspergillus species together with the thermophilic
actinomyces are the most common causes of the
hypersensitivity pneumonitis known as farmer’s lung disease.
aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA)
An anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic drug that
blocks the synthesis of prostaglandin. It may induce atopic
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